RingStar inks Olympian Carlos Balderas

U.S. Olympic boxer Carlos Balderas has signed with Ringstar Sports, the new promotional venture of veteran boxing executive Richard Schaefer.

Ringstar announced its first signings Monday. Schaefer also signed Balderas’ older brother, Jose.

The brothers will make their pro debuts in late February in Los Angeles, with 20-year-old Carlos Balderas beginning his career as a 130-pound junior lightweight.

“I’m excited to get the first fight and get the ball rolling,” Balderas said. “The sky is the limit. I know Mr. Schaefer has big plans for me, and I’m looking forward to making LA my hometown and making it big.”

Schaefer thinks Balderas’ combination of skill, punching power, good looks and Olympic pedigree makes him a surefire pro star. He intends to turn Balderas into a favorite fighter for Los Angeles’ large boxing audience.

“He clearly was the most sought-after Olympian,” Schaefer said. “He has that ‘It’ factor, the factor that’s not only going to make you a champion, but make you a superstar.”